Expatriates ask Ma to improve Taipei's traffic for scooters

By Sandy Huang / STAFF REPORTER

A forum organized by the Taipei City Government and aimed at seeking advice from foreign communities in Taipei said yesterday that better traffic management for motor scooters is on top of most expatriates' wish lists.

The forum was organized by Mayor Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) administration in an bid to seek better communication with foreign communities. Representatives from eight foreign liaison offices in Taipei and five other individual expatriates were invited to the meeting with Ma to communicate their advice on city affairs.

Richard Henson, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, were among the expatriate representatives yesterday.

Henson, who has been in Taipei for the past eight years, said that when he first arrived in Taipei, he was surprised by the motor scooter phenomenon in Taipei.

"Other than the transportation issue concerning the motor scooters, I feel that over-all the city has improved its living quality over the years," he said, noting that the finishing of the MRT system was a key moment in the development of Taipei City.

Addressing the expatriates' concern, Ma said that the government would continue its efforts to manage the city's scooters better.